Drain surrounding structure protective cosmetic cover

ABSTRACT

A drain surrounding cover ( 30 ) is configured to be easily installed about a drain ring ( 12 ) in the bottom of a drain-including structure and/or fixture, such as tubs, basins, bathtubs, showers, sinks, laundry tubs, and the like ( 22 ), for protecting from, and/or cosmetically covering, damage and/or discoloration in the surrounding area. The drain surrounding cover ( 30 ) may be easily, quickly, and economically installed about the drain ring  12  and covering the surrounding area. Also disclosed is a drain assembly ( 10 ) including the drain surrounding cover ( 30 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of drains andassociated structures and fixtures, such tubs and basins, bathtubs,showers, sinks, laundry tubs, and the like, and more particularly tomaterials, structures, and techniques, for repairing and protectingdrains and the surrounding area of drain-including structures andfixtures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Drains, such as used in tubs, basins, bathtubs, showers, sinks, etc.,conventionally have a drain ring that is adapted to fit over and arounda drain port about the bottom of a drain-including structure and/orfixture, such as a bathtub or the like. The drain ring is normallyconnected to a drain pipe positioned under the drain port. To preventwater from seeping between the drain port and the drain ring, the drainring is connected to the drain port through the use of a sealantmaterial. For example, plumber putty can be placed between the drainport and the drain ring, sealing the area from water seepage.

During use, the area surrounding a drain port of a drain-includingstructure or fixture, such as a bathtub, a shower, a sink, a laundrytub, and the like, tends to wear and damage. A discoloration, chipping,or flaking of the material in that area can occur. This discoloration,chipping, or flaking can be aesthetically unpleasing or sufficientlysevere that the structure and/or fixture, e.g., the bathtub, may requirerepair or replacement, for which there can be significant costs.

Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art asdiscussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention, according to an embodiment, provides a protectiveand/or cosmetic cover for the surrounding structure about a drain, theprotective and/or cosmetic cover (herein also referred to as a “drainsurrounding cover”) is configured to be easily installed in proximity toa drain ring about the bottom of structures and/or fixtures, such asbathtubs, sinks, laundry tubs, showers, and the like (herein alsoreferred to as “drain-based structures”), protecting and/or covering anydamage and/or discoloration in the surrounding area of a drain.

According to an embodiment, a drain surrounding cover may include a topsurface, a bottom surface, an inner radius substantially equal to anouter radius of the drain ring; and an outer radius. The drainsurrounding cover may cover at least a portion of a surface areagenerally surrounding the drain ring. An adhesive backing may beprovided on the bottom surface of the drain surrounding cover, allowingthe drain surrounding cover to be adhered to the surface area of thedrain-based fixture surrounding the drain ring.

The drain surrounding cover may be provided in a kit form, included witha drain assembly. The drain assembly includes a drain pipe which ispositionable under a drain port. A drain ring is provided which ispositionable over the drain port, comprising to the drain pipe throughthe drain port. The drain surrounding cover is attached to the bottomsurface of the drain-based structure and/or fixture, substantiallycovering the area of the bottom surface adjacent to and surrounding thedrain ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which together with the detailed description below are incorporatedin and form part of the specification, serve to further illustratevarious embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages allin accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a prior art drain assembly;

FIG. 2 illustrates a drain-including structure and/or fixture, andincorporating a drain surrounding cover, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a drain surrounding cover according to an embodiment ofthe present invention;

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the drain surrounding cover shown in FIG.3;

FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional plan view of the drain surrounding coverand drain assembly shown in FIG. 2; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 depict alternative drain surrounding covers according toalternative embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases usedherein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide anunderstandable description of the invention.

The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or more thanone. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more thantwo. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a secondor more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are definedas comprising (i.e., open language).

An embodiment of the present invention provides a drain surroundingprotective and/or cosmetic cover (herein also referred to as a “drainsurrounding cover”) configured to be easily installed about a drain ringin the bottom of drain-based structures and/or fixtures, such as tubs,basins, bathtubs, sinks, laundry tubs, and the like, protecting and/orcovering any damaged or discoloration in the surrounding area about thedrain.

Referring now to the drawing figures, there is shown in FIG. 1 anexemplary drain assembly 10 of the prior art. The drain assembly 10includes a drain ring 12 connected to a hollow fluid conduit member 14.The fluid conduit member 14 includes an open end 16 with internal orexternal threads 18 that penetrates and extends through a drain port 20in the bottom of a drain-including structure and/or fixture such as abathtub 22. The open end 16 is threadably affixed to a primary drainpipe 28. Alternatively, the open end 16 can be unthreaded, wherein theopen end 16 is telescopically affixed to a primary drain pipe 28. Thedrain port 20 is inset with the bathtub 22, such that the top of thedrain ring 12 is substantially flush with the bottom surface 24 of thebathtub 22. The inset of the drain port 20 forms an arcuate surface 26between the drain port 20 and bottom surface 24 of the bathtub 22.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a drain-including structure and/orfixture such as a bathtub 22, and incorporating a drain surroundingcover 30, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The drainsurrounding cover 30 is positioned on the arcuate surface 26, interposebetween the bottom surface 24 of the bathtub 22 and the drain ring 12.The drain surrounding cover 30 acts to substantially protect thesurrounding surface area such as the arcuate surface 26 fromdiscoloration or damage. This is a commercially valuable feature for newdrain-including structures and/or fixtures to provide protection to thesurrounding surface area from an initial or early use of the product. Itprovides extended life, and an aesthetically pleasing decor, to thedrain-including structure and/or fixture. Alternatively, the drainsurrounding cover 30 may be used after occurrence of discolorationand/or damage to cover such discoloration and/or damage to thesurrounding surface area such as the arcuate surface 26. This againprovides a commercially valuable benefit to users by allowing quick andeconomical repair and restoration of a drain-including structure and/orfixture that has suffered unfortunate discoloration and/or damage. Thedrain surrounding cover 30 will cover the damage and/or discolorationthereby substantially restoring the aesthetic appearance, and repairingand extending the useful life, of the product. Lastly, the drainsurrounding cover 30 can add new and commercially desirable aestheticsto the surrounding area about a drain. A variety of shapes and patternsof drain surrounding covers 30 may be provided to significantly enhancethe aesthetic appearance of a drain-including structure and/or fixtureas viewed by users, as will be discussed in more detail below.

FIG. 3 illustrates a drain surrounding cover 30 according to anembodiment of the present invention. The drain surrounding cover 30 issubstantially circular in shape having an inner edge 31 a distance R1from the center C of the drain surrounding cover 30 and an outer edge 33a distance R2 from the center C of the drain surrounding cover 30. Theinner edge distance R1 is normally slightly greater then an outerperimeter of the drain ring 12 of a drain. (See also FIG. 2). The outeredge distance R2 of the drain surrounding cover 30 may be provided in anumber of different sizes, wherein the outer edge distance R2 isselected to cover the desired surface area extending beyond the drainring, such as to cover any damaged or discolored portion of the arcuatesurface 26 and/or of any surrounding surface area about the bottomsurface 24 of the drain-including structure and/or fixture, such as thebathtub 22.

Referring to FIG. 4, at least a portion of the bottom (underside)surface 32 of the drain surrounding cover 30 is covered with an adhesivebacking 34, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theadhesive backing 34 can be an adhesive coating 34 protected by aremovable backing material 36. Prior to installation, the back material36 is peeled off, exposing the adhesive coating 34.

Alternatively, the adhesive backing 34 can be an adhesive material 34,such as a double sided tape. The adhesive material 34 is protected by aremovable backing material 36. Prior to installation, the back material36 is peeled off, exposing the adhesive material 34.

Referring to FIG. 5, according to the present example, the drainsurrounding cover 30 is attached to the arcuate surface 26 by peelingaway the removable backing material 36 from the adhesive backing 34. Thedrain surrounding cover 30 is positioned about the drain ring 12,aligning the inner radius R1 of the drain surrounding cover 30 with theouter edge 33 of the drain ring 12. The drain surrounding cover 30 ispressed onto the arcuate surface 26, securing the drain surroundingcover 30 to the surface about the drain ring 12. The drain surroundingcover 30 may have an outer radius R2 such that the drain surroundingcover 30 extends into the bottom surface of the bathtub 22.

Referring to FIG. 6, the drain surrounding cover 30 of the presentinvention may be provided with an aesthetic, ornamental, and/or fancifuldesign feature. For example, but not limited to, the drain surroundingcover 30 may be provided in the shape of a flower 34. In a secondnon-limiting example, the drain surrounding cover 30 may also beprovided with a design feature depicting sea shells, cartoon characters,sport teams, animals, etc.

Referring to FIG. 7, the aesthetic, ornamental and/or fanciful designfeature of the drain surrounding cover 30 may be designed to match thedesign of the bottom surface 24 (see FIG. 2) of the drain-includingstructure and/or fixture such as the bathtub 22. For example, but notlimited to, in the instance where the bathtub 22 comprises a showerbasin made of tile, the drain surrounding cover 30 may include fauxgrout lines 38 to match or generally mimic the grout lines found on thesurrounding bottom surface 24 of the bathtub 22. The areas 38 in betweenthe faux grout lines 36 may be colored to match the colors of the tilesfound on the surrounding bottom surface 24. Additionally, where thebathtub 22 (in this example) is a solid color, the drain surroundingcover 30 may be colored to match the color of the bathtub 22. Thispermits the drain surrounding cover 30 to substantially blend in withthe appearance of the bottom surface 24 of the drain-including structureand/or fixture such as the bathtub 22.

In the above example, the drain surrounding cover 30 is described asbeing substantially circular in shape. However, it is contemplated thatthe drain surrounding cover 30 may be of any shape, wherein the inneredge distance R1 is shaped to fit about any shaped drain ring 12. Forexample, the drain ring 12 may be in the shape of a square, rectangular,triangular, elliptical, star, etc. Further, the outer edge distance R2of the drain surrounding cover 30 may be provide in variety of shapes,including, but not limit to, square, rectangular, triangular,elliptical, etc. Additionally, the drain surrounding cover 30 may besized and shaped to cover only a portion of the surrounding area aboutthe drain, not necessarily covering all of the surface area extendingbeyond the perimeter of the drain ring 12.

The drain surrounding cover 30 according to alternative embodiments ofthe present invention may be made of a variety of materials, which caninclude, but not be limited to, plastic, metal, ceramic, woven fibers,polymer, copolymer, rubber, synthetic rubber, such as neoprene, and thelike. For example, the drain surrounding cover 30 may be may of a hardplastic molded to conform to the shape of the arcuate surface 26.Alternatively, the drain surrounding cover 30 may be made of a rubber orwoven fiber material, which may conform to the shape of the arcuatesurface 26.

It is contemplated that the drain surrounding cover 30 according to anembodiment of the present invention may be provided as a stand aloneunit, being available for installation for protection of and/or cosmeticcover of the arcuate surface 26 and the surrounding area. It is furthercontemplated that a drain assembly 10 and the drain surrounding cover 30may be provided as a kit. Additionally, an original equipmentmanufactured drain-including structure and/or fixture may be providedwith a drain surrounding cover 30 that best matches the aesthetics, formand function of the new product.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been disclosed,those having ordinary skill in the art will understand that changes canbe made to the specific embodiments without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is not to berestricted, therefore, to the specific embodiments, and it is intendedthat the appended claims cover any and all such applications,modifications, and embodiments within the scope of the presentinvention.

1. A drain surrounding cover for protecting and covering an areasurrounding a drain ring portion of a drain assembly, comprising: a topsurface; a bottom surface; an inner edge having an inner edge distancesubstantially equal to an outer perimeter of a drain ring portion of adrain assembly; and an outer edge.
 2. The drain surrounding cover ofclaim 1, further comprising an adhesive backing disposed on the bottomsurface of the drain surrounding cover.
 3. The drain surrounding coverof claim 2, further comprising a removable backing material covering theadhesive backing.
 4. The drain surrounding cover of claim 1, wherein thedrain surrounding cover is molded to conform to a surface of the areasurrounding the drain ring.
 5. The drain surrounding cover of claim 1,wherein the drain surrounding cover is made of a conformable material.6. The drain surrounding cover of claim 1, wherein the drain surroundingcover is made of material comprising at least one of plastic, metal,ceramic, woven fibers, polymer, copolymer, rubber, and synthetic rubber.7. The drain surrounding cover of claim 1, wherein the inner edge of thedrain surrounding cover substantially follows a drain shape thatincludes at least one of circular shape, square shape, rectangularshape, elliptical shape, star shape, and triangular shape.
 8. The drainsurrounding cover of claim 1 wherein the outer edge of the drainsurrounding cover substantially follows a shape that includes at leastone of circular shape, square shape, rectangular shape, ellipticalshape, star shape, and triangular shape.
 9. The drain surrounding coverof claim 1, wherein the top surface of the drain surrounding coverincludes a decorative design.
 10. The drain surrounding cover of claim9, wherein the decorative design of the drain surrounding cover matchesa pattern of the area surrounding the drain ring.
 11. The drain surroundcover of claim 1, wherein the drain surrounding cover protects andcovers at least a portion of the area surrounding a drain ring portionof a drain assembly
 12. A drain surrounding cover for protecting andcovering an area surrounding a drain ring portion of a drain assemblycomprising: a top surface; a bottom surface; an adhesive backing forcovering the bottom surface; an inner edge having an inner edge distancegreater than an outer perimeter of a drain ring of the drain assembly;and an outer edge.
 13. The drain surrounding cover of claim 12, furthercomprising a removable backing material for covering the adhesivebacking.
 14. The drain surrounding cover of claim 12 wherein the drainsurrounding cover is made of material comprising at least one ofplastic, metal, ceramic, woven fibers, polymer, copolymer, rubber, andsynthetic rubber.
 15. The drain surrounding cover of claim 12, whereinthe inner edge of the drain surrounding cover is substantially circular,square, rectangular, elliptical, star, or triangular in shape.
 16. Thedrain surrounding cover of claim 12, wherein the outer edge of the drainsurrounding cover is substantially circular, square, rectangular,elliptical, star, or triangular in shape.
 17. The drain surroundingcover of claim 12, wherein the top surface of the drain surroundingcover includes a decorative design.
 18. The drain surrounding cover ofclaim 17, wherein the decorative design of the drain surrounding covermatches a pattern of the area surrounding the drain ring.
 19. A drainassembly, comprising: a drain-including structure and/or fixtureincluding a bottom surface having a drain port; a drain ring forremovably connecting to the drain port of the bottom surface; and adrain surrounding cover for positioning about the bottom surfaceadjacent to the drain ring.
 20. The drain assembly of claim 19, furthercomprising: a fluid conduit for positioning through the drain port, thedrain ring for positioning over the drain port and connecting to fluidconduit through the drain port; and the drain surrounding coversubstantially covering an area of the bottom surface and substantiallyconforming to the outer radius of the drain ring.
 21. The drain assemblyof claim 19, wherein the drain surrounding cover includes an adhesivebacking for affixing to the bottom surface.
 22. A drain assembly forinstallation in structure and/or fixture including a bottom surfacehaving a drain port, comprising: a drain ring positionable about thedrain port on the bottom surface; and a drain surrounding coverpositionable about the drain ring.